By Eric Shore, Personal Injury and Disability Attorney
I’m Eric Shore, founder of the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore, and I’ve been helping injured people in New Jersey with dog bite and injury cases for more than 30 years.
If a neighbor’s dog bites you, you may have a case even if the dog never bit anyone before. New Jersey dog bite law focuses heavily on whether you were in a public place or lawfully on private property when the bite happened.
That matters because many people do nothing after a neighbor’s dog bite. They feel embarrassed. They do not want trouble. They think, “It was just an accident.”
But dog bites can leave scars, infections, nerve injuries, anxiety, and medical bills. Before you decide not to do anything, you should understand what the law may allow.
- New Jersey dog bite law can make the dog owner liable even if the dog had no known history of biting.
- You should take photos of the wound, the location, the dog, and any torn clothing as soon as possible.
- Dog bite cases often involve homeowners insurance or renters insurance, not the neighbor paying out of pocket.
- Children, delivery workers, visitors, and pedestrians may all have claims if they were lawfully where the bite happened.
- Do not agree to a quick cash payment before you know whether scarring, infection, or nerve damage may continue.
A Client Story I Have Heard Many Times
A woman from Cherry Hill called after a neighbor’s dog bit her outside an apartment complex.
She said, “I don’t want to sue my neighbor. I just want my medical bills paid.”
That is a very common reaction.
In my experience, people often think a dog bite case means attacking the dog owner personally. Many times, the claim is really handled through insurance.
Her bite became infected. The scar did not heal the way she expected. She also became nervous walking past dogs in her own neighborhood.
The case was not just about one emergency room bill. It was about the long-term effect of the bite.
Can I Sue If the Dog Never Bit Anyone Before?
Quick Answer: Yes. In New Jersey, a dog owner can be liable for a bite even if the dog had no prior history of viciousness, as long as you were in a public place or lawfully on private property.
That surprises people.
They assume they must prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. For a New Jersey bite case, that is not always the issue.
What matters is where you were, how the bite happened, and what injuries followed.
I’ve seen people damage their own cases by saying, “It was my fault. I reached toward the dog.”
Maybe that matters. Maybe it does not.
Do not decide the legal issue yourself in the moment. Get the facts reviewed before you assume you have no case.
What Evidence Should I Save After a Dog Bite?
Quick Answer: Save photos, medical records, witness names, animal control reports, clothing, and all messages with the dog owner. Evidence can disappear quickly after a neighborhood dog bite.
Take pictures every day for the first week if the wound changes.
Get the dog owner’s name, address, and insurance information if possible. If animal control or police respond, ask how to get the report.
One mistake I see over and over is people waiting until the wound looks better before taking pictures. The early photos often show the true seriousness of the bite.
You should also save:
- Photos of the bite wound
- Photos of torn or bloody clothing
- Medical discharge papers
- Text messages with the dog owner
- Names of witnesses
- Animal control or police report information
- Any proof of missed work
The better question isn’t “Was the dog usually friendly?”
The better question is “What proof do we have about what happened and how badly you were hurt?”
What If the Dog Belongs To My Neighbor or Friend?
Quick Answer: You can still have a claim if the dog belongs to someone you know. In many cases, the money comes from insurance, not directly from your neighbor’s pocket.
This is the emotional part.
People say, “Eric, I don’t want to ruin the relationship.”
I understand that. But you also should not be stuck paying medical bills, missing work, or living with a scar because someone failed to control a dog.
A careful lawyer can help you understand whether insurance applies before you make a decision.
What Damages Can Be Included in a New Jersey Dog Bite Claim?
Quick Answer: A New Jersey dog bite claim may include medical bills, scarring, infection, pain, emotional distress, lost wages, and future treatment if the injury does not fully heal.
Dog bite injuries can be more serious than people expect.
Some wounds leave permanent scars. Some cause nerve damage. Some lead to infection. Children may suffer fear, nightmares, or anxiety around dogs long after the wound closes.
In my experience, the full value of a dog bite case is often not clear on day one. That is why quick cash offers can be dangerous.
The owner may say, “I’ll give you a few hundred dollars and we can move on.”
But what happens if the wound gets infected? What happens if the scar needs treatment? What happens if you miss work? What happens if your child is afraid to go outside?
Do not settle before you know the real damage.
What Should I Do After a Neighbor’s Dog Bites Me?
Quick Answer: Get medical care, report the bite, document everything, and avoid making informal agreements before you know the full injury. The first few days after the bite can affect the entire claim.
If the bite broke the skin, get medical care right away.
If the dog owner says, “Please don’t report this,” do not let guilt control your health decisions.
If you have scarring, infection, missed work, or a child was bitten, talk to a lawyer before accepting money.
Otherwise, you may settle before the real damage is known.
Decision Tree: What To Do Next
If the bite broke the skin, then get medical treatment immediately.
If the dog owner is your neighbor or friend, then stay polite but still document everything. If there were witnesses, then get their names and contact information.
If animal control or police were called, then request the report.
If the owner offers cash, then do not accept it until you know whether the injury will fully heal.
Otherwise, you may give up rights before you understand what your case is worth. FAQ
Can I bring a claim if the dog bite happened on private property?
Yes, but you generally need to show you were lawfully there. An invited guest, delivery worker, tenant, or customer may still have rights.
Yes. A report can protect your health and create a record of what happened. It may also help confirm vaccination issues.
Usually not. Many injury claims resolve through insurance discussions. But every case depends on the facts, the injuries, and whether the insurance company acts reasonably.
What if the dog owner says it was my fault?
Sometimes that matters, but do not accept blame without understanding the law. What happened before the bite, where you were, and whether you were lawfully there all matter.
What if my child was bitten by a neighbor’s dog?
Yes, your child may have a claim. Dog bites involving children should be taken seriously because scarring, fear, and emotional trauma can last long after the wound heals.
Should You Call After a New Jersey Dog Bite?
If you were bitten by a dog in New Jersey, the biggest mistake is assuming you have no case because the dog was friendly before or because the owner is someone you know.
The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore helps injured people understand their options before insurance companies or neighbors pressure them into a quick decision.
Call 1-800-CANT-WORK if a dog bite caused medical treatment, scarring, infection, missed work, or emotional distress.
